2023 House Resolution 94

Whereas, Even though African-Americans were excluded from playing in the Major Leagues of their time with their white counterparts, the desire of many African-Americans to play baseball could not be repressed; and

Whereas, Major League Baseball did not fully integrate its leagues until July 1959; and

Whereas, African-Americans began organizing their own professional baseball teams in 1885; and

Whereas, The skills and abilities of Negro League players eventually made Major League Baseball realize the need to integrate the sport; and

Whereas, Seven separate baseball leagues, known collectively as the “Negro Baseball Leagues”, were organized by African-Americans between 1920 and 1960; and

Whereas, The Negro Baseball Leagues included exceptionally talented players who played the game at its highest level; and

Whereas, On May 2, 1920, the Negro National League, the first successful Negro League, played its first game; and

Whereas, Andrew “Rube” Foster founded the Negro National League on February 13, 1920, at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, and also managed and played for the Chicago American Giants, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Leroy “Satchel” Paige, who began his long career in the Negro Leagues and did not make his Major League debut until the age of 42, is considered one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever seen. During his long career, Paige thrilled millions of baseball fans with his skill and legendary showboating. His exemplary tenure began with winning his first big league victory in his first game on July 15, 1948. This momentous moment helped the Cleveland Indians on the road to winning the pennant the same year. He was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Josh Gibson, who was the greatest slugger of the Negro Leagues, tragically died months before the integration of baseball, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Jackie Robinson, whose career began with the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, became the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues in April 1947, was named Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year in 1947, subsequently led the Brooklyn Dodgers to 6 National League pennants and a World Series championship, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Larry Doby, whose career began with the Negro League Newark Eagles, became the first African-American to play in the American League in July 1947, was an All-Star 7 times in the Major Leagues and 2-time American league home run leader, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil was a player and manager of the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, became the first African-American coach in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs in 1962, served on the Veterans Committee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, chaired the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Board of Directors, and worked tirelessly to promote the history of the Negro Leagues; and

Whereas, James “Cool Papa” Bell played, coached, and managed in the Negro Leagues from 1922 to 1950, discovered, trained, and assisted numerous Negro League players into the Major Leagues, and was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Ron ‘Schoolboy’ Teasley, Detroit’s own baseball legend played on the New York Cubans team after being signed and then released by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Teasley played alongside Minnie Minoso, the ‘Cuban Comet’. Minoso was on the Cubans team when they won the Negro League World Series. He later broke the color barrier on the Chicago White Sox team when he joined them in 1951 and was the first black Latino to play in the Major Leagues.

Whereas, The talents of such players as Josh Gibson, James “Cool Papa” Bell, and Oscar Charleston earned them recognition in the Baseball Hall of Fame as well as the Sporting News List of Baseball Greatest Players; and

Whereas, Auto Zone Park in Memphis, Tennessee, hosted the inaugural Civil Rights Game between the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians in commemoration of the civil rights movement, on March 31, 2007; and

Whereas, Michigan made significant contributions to the Negro Leagues. The Detroit Stars, founded in 1919 by Tenny Blount and the father of black baseball Rube Foster, was a prominent charter member of the league. All but two of the seasons they played were winning seasons. They produced numerous Hall of Fame inductees, including Turkey Stearnes and Andy “Lefty” Cooper; and

Whereas, Major League Baseball has recognized May 2nd as Negro Leagues Day throughout the whole league, to preserve the legacy of Negro League players.

Whereas, By achieving success on the baseball field, African-American baseball players helped break down color barriers and integrate African-Americans into all aspects of society in the United States: now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2, 2023, as Negro Leagues Baseball Day in the state of Michigan. We recognize the teams and players of the Negro Baseball Leagues for their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and contributions to both baseball and our nation.